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Two firms have been fined $26 million by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for scaring consumers into believing their computers were infected by malware.
The FTC claimed that Restoro Cyprus Limited and Reimage Cyprus Limited, both based in Cyprus, operated a tech support scam since at least 2018 that "bilked tens of millions of dollars from consumers... using false and unsubstantiated claims about the performance and security of consumers' computers."
The companies, which have a common ownership, are thought to have been particularly successful at scamming older consumers with fake Microsoft Windows pop-ups. The pop-ups claimed computers were infected with viruses and urged users to "scan" their PCs "to avoid more damage."
According to the FTC, the scareware messages appeared regardless of the actual health of consumers' computers, and lured unsuspecting users with the offer of a free scan or security update. The scan inevitably claimed to find performance or security issues that - it said - required urgent repair.
The "fix" supposedly required consumers to purchase software from Restoro or Reimage, costing between $27 and $58.
FTC investigators confirmed victims' claims by scanning a known virus-free computer and making undercover purchases of the software.
Each time, investigators reported that the scan highlighted numerous purported problems and security concerns, followed by advice to purchase repair software.
The investigation found that victims often spoke to Restoro and Reimage's telemarketers. The telemarketers tried to convince them that software alone could not fix the "problem" and that a Restoro or Reimage technician would need remote access to their computer - at an additional cost of hundreds of dollars.
The FTC's complaint showed that Restoro used Google search ads to direct computer users to its website.
If the proposed settlement is approved by a federal court, the FTC plans to use the $26 million fine paid by the companies to compensate scammed consumers and seeks a permanent injunction against the companies from engaging in similar deceptive practices in the future.


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Oracle Database, WebLogic Server, and Java now certified for Windows Azure and Hyper-V
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Red Hat, Google, Dell, and several other companies have filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court challenging "poor quality" software patents, Red Hat said on Thursday.
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American fintech firm PayPal is reportedly planning to launch its personal cryptocurrency. The so-called ‘PayPal Coin’ will likely be pegged to the greenback.
American fintech firm PayPal is reportedly planning to launch its personal cryptocurrency sooner or later. Paypal initially opened crypto buying and selling for its U.S. customers again in 2020, enabling individuals to purchase and promote Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Bitcoin Money, earlier than expanding its crypto operations final yr. Nevertheless, the corporate’s newest plan is much more bold because it appears to be like to debut its personal digital token going ahead.
Cryptocurrencies have seen rising acceptance in mainstream society over the previous couple of years, each inside and outdoors the U.S. Late final yr, the primary Bitcoin ETF started buying and selling on the New York Inventory Change (NYSE). A couple of weeks later, America’s largest movie show chain, AMC Theaters, announced plans to accept Bitcoin and different cryptocurrencies for on-line funds. Nevertheless, one of the crucial important victories for cryptocurrencies got here earlier within the yr when El Salvador declared Bitcoin legal tender.
In an announcement to Bloomberg News this week, Paypal’s Senior Vice President of crypto and digital currencies, Jose Fernandez da Ponte confirmed that the corporate is “exploring a stablecoin.” He additionally promised that the corporate would work with the regulators to make its plans come to fruition. Stablecoins, for these unaware, are digital tokens whose values are pegged to fiat currencies, such because the greenback or the euro. This offers them perceived ‘stability’ in opposition to wild fluctuations in value, and therefore the title.
The PayPal App Referred To A ‘PayPal Coin’
Based on Bloomberg, the primary hints about PayPal’s in-house cryptocurrency plans had been discovered by developer Steve Moser. He found a hidden reference to a ‘PayPal Coin’ inside the firm’s app. Moser subsequently contacted the publication to share his findings. The code and pictures discovered by Moser recommended that PayPal’s token will likely be a so-called stablecoin backed by the U.S. greenback. It’s value noting that Paypal’s deliberate stablecoin remains to be below improvement, which implies the title and different plans may change by the point it’s prepared for prime time.
Whereas da Ponte didn’t elaborate to Bloomberg why PayPal is planning to launch its personal digital token regardless of the provision of so many existing cryptocurrencies, an earlier assertion from him on the Unchained podcast gives an perception into the thought technique of PayPal executives. Based on him, not one of the current stablecoins are “purpose-built for funds,” which necessitates PayPal to think about launching its personal, in-house possibility. Moreover, based on him, for a cryptocurrency to be adopted by PayPal, it should help funds at scale and supply a excessive stage of safety. He additionally stated that the corporate would need extra regulatory readability about cryptocurrencies going ahead.
Supply: Bloomberg News
Silver Surfer’s Planet Hulk Costume Returns in Epic New Fanart


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Latest In Featured Blog
During a recent webcast, MDM CEO Tom Gale and White Cup VP of Business Development Brian Friedel discuss how finding the right CRM can help companies create a revenue-driving machine.
Combining sweet-spot analysis with market data is a quick way for distributors to realize strengths and weaknesses in their respective markets, says MDM's Analytics team.
Last year’s momentum carried over into a strong first half of 2022 for many distributors. But a mishmash of headwinds and tailwinds reveal uncertainties for the rest of the year and into 2023, economist Brian Lewandowski and MDM’s Tom Gale discuss in a new webcast.
Nichole Gunn discusses how incentive programs make discounts and marketing more cost-effective for distributors and manufacturers, boost salespeople's performance and build excitement around your products.
Despite impressive first-quarter sales and profit numbers for major distributors, stakeholders may still notice a hint of caution in the air as the calendar turns to summer. Download MDM's May 2022 Premium Monthly issue to read more.
While the pace of daily sales decelerated, overall sales remained robust as the company made further strides in hiring.
This week's MDM Podcast features Mike Hockett's interview with NAHAD's Molly Mullins from the association's recent convention, where they chatted about NAHAD's role in the industry and how its members are handling current challenges.
In May, the packaging and jan/san distributor notched its 50th acquisition under current leadership. Weeks earlier, private equity firm Advent International agreed to acquire a large stake in the company.
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During a recent podcast, Summit Electric’s Sheila Hernandez and MDM’s Tom Gale talk about the evolution of marketing in electrical distribution, as well as how having the right analytics is just half the battle when moving a company forward.


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CLARK COUNTYThat's right, Vancouver has taken all the "sprawl" that snooty Portlanders turned their nose up at. (including three Wal-Mart Supercenters) and is now thriving. Remember which WSU campus is actually GROWING in enrollment? There's a lesson in there for Pullman, Whitman County and anyone who advocates "smart growth.".
For years, the Vancouver area has been dismissed as hip, eco-urban Portland's dowdy sibling — the repository for all the development that couldn't be contained within Portland's tight urban-growth boundary. Local officials have sought to turn that distinction to the county's advantage.
"Clark County is still filling up, and there's lots of developable land," said Scott Bailey, the state Employment Security Department's regional labor economist for Southwest Washington. "The land-use plans have continually allowed for as much residential development as we could take. It's been 'Come on in, homebuilders.' "
Now, Bailey said, the county's population has grown enough that it can support a level of retail and services that once could only be found across the Interstate Bridge — though Oregon's siren call of tax-free shopping continues to beckon.
People who bought into the stacks of newly built homes across from Legacy Salmon Creek, for instance, can now shop at a new Best Buy store a few miles down Interstate 5. (Clark County has added 2,400 retail jobs during the current boom.)
"Now we're getting all the stores Portland has, only ours are all brand-new," said Gretchen Amacher, manager of Legacy's Family Birth Center.
One industry that helped fuel growth in the late 1990s, semiconductor manufacturing, isn't much of a factor this time around. Chipmakers shrank or closed several of the newly built plants during the recession. Employment in computer and electronics manufacturing shrank from 5,300 at the end of 2000 to 3,000 at the depth of the recession, and the sector has added just 500 jobs since then.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Sprawl: The Real Smart Growth
Very interesting story on the front page of today's Seattle Times on Washington's top 5 hot spots for jobs. Guess who's #1?


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The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Posted: 06/9/2014 4:40 PM | Comments: 0
Last Modified: 06/9/2014 6:14 PM
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Web hosting company GoDaddy is filing for an initial public offering.
The company known for its racy Super Bowl commercials says it has 12 million customers and is the largest provider of website domain names.
GoDaddy Inc. also said Monday that company founder and former CEO Bob Parsons is resigning as executive chairman to spend time on other ventures. He will stay on the board. GoDaddy plans to name a new chairman in the next few months.
The Scottsdale, Arizona, company has posted losses the last three years, with a deficit of $199.9 million in 2013. Its annual revenue grew 24 per cent to $1.13 billion.
GoDaddy says it plans to raise up to $100 million, but that is likely to change as bankers gauge investor interest.
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Wonder Bar in Austin is basically an Instagram playground. It has it all: bright yellow banana swings, a bathtub filled with rubber duckies, a rideable unicorn and neon signs galore that say things like “Head in the clouds” and “Searching for Uranus.”
Out-of-town visitors to the Texas city could miss this photo hot spot completely — but a new app wants to help influencers and amateur Instagrammers alike find social-media worthy gems like Wonder Bar.
Lifestyle blogger Rebecca Aneloski recently launched a new app called Depalo, which shows users the GPS coordinates for Instagram-worthy locations in various cities. What makes the perfect backdrop for the ‘gram? Colorful murals on walls, scenic street corners and restaurants decked out in Millennial pink accents.
Aneloski, who has roughly 134,000 followers on Instagram, typically spends hours researching “Instagrammable” spots before traveling somewhere to make sure she has ample content for her online posts.
But on one quick day trip to Sedona, Arizona, in 2017, Aneloski didn’t have time to find nearby photo locations. That’s when she got the idea to streamline the “location scouting process for creatives,” she told CNN Business.
The app is for people who make money off their social media posts, also known as influencers or content creators, as well as millennials who want to find unique — and social media friendly — places while traveling.
Over 40% of people under 33 years old factor in how Instagrammable their vacation will be when deciding on a travel destination, according to a 2018 survey by UK-based home insurance provider Schofields.
“We live in a culture in which, some would say, we’re slaves to photographing everything we see. It’s a compulsion we have,” said Paul Levinson, a professor at Fordham University who studies social media. “This app fits perfectly into that culture.”
Every location featured on Depalo includes tips, such as how to get there, parking availability and suggestions for capturing the best photo (like visiting in the early morning to beat crowds, because who wants strangers in their shot?). It also shows Instagram photos from influencers who have visited that location.
For example, one of Chicago’s Instagram destinations is Punchbowl Social, an arcade bar with a wall of pastel colored, vintage-style laundry machines and laundry-cart-inspired tables. (You can’t do any actual laundry on the premises). The app suggests grabbing a drink and food and “snapping away” at this Instagrammable part of the bar, which also features a bowling alley, a giant Scrabble board and a wall of fake shipping containers.
There is also a section on the app called “Where’s the wall?” which shows murals in the area. Artsy walls, it seems, are particularly popular on Instagram. (There was even briefly an angel-wing mural in Los Angeles that only influencers with a certain number of followers could pose in front of.)
“People love taking photos outside of walls and now they have all of that in one place,” Aneloski said. “It’s so hard to find the address to those walls.”
However, there is some fatigue from too many Instagram posts of the same popular hot spots, according to Beca Alexander, founder and president of influencer casting and marketing agency Socialyte.
“I worry this just makes it easier for everyone to just continue posting the exact same content,” Alexander said of Depalo. “But if the founder can continue curating the app in a way so that you truly see what’s new and exciting, that’s going to be super interesting and helpful for consumers and other influencers.”
Alexander also said people sometimes go to Instagrammable spots just for a photo, not always to try the food or product the business is selling, which she says isn’t a good thing.
“These places and restaurants are trying really hard to cater to the ‘grammers, but they’re not always seeing the benefit of it financially,” she said. “People are just going for the sake of taking a photo.”
Aneloski said she works to strike a balance between featuring popular places and spots that aren’t as well known. She has also spoken with some businesses to make sure they feel positively about being featured in the app.
“We encourage people to do business while they’re there, not just show up and take a photo. We definitely want to uplift these local businesses,” she said. “We think too that if they are going to make their place pretty Instagrammable, it’s almost expected in this day and age to have people snapping photos in that space.”
So far, the app surfaces recommendations for Austin; Boston; Chicago; Kansas City; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Nashville; New York City; Portland, Oregon; San Diego; San Francisco and Sedona, Arizona.
Depalo will add a new US city each week, and Aneloski hopes to expand internationally next year. It’s only available on iOS for now, but an Android version is in the works.
Aneloski has a team of 10 part-time employees working on Depalo, including developers and public relations specialists. For now, she is personally funding the app, but will explore ways to monetize it in the future, such as through ads.
In response to critics who say young people are too obsessed with getting a good photo for social media, Aneloski says: “Sharing photos is a way millennials communicate. Photos tell a story. They tell where you’re at, who you’re with, and what you’re doing. … And people want to share their story with other people.”


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“Apple’s deal with Japan’s leading carrier Docomo… is hugely significant,” Jon Russell reports for TNW.
“Research from Kantar Japan — which polls 100,000 consumers per month — suggests that as many as two-thirds of customers who unsubscribe from Docomo go elsewhere to buy an iPhone,” Russell reports. “That makes the Apple deal a massive one for Docomo, which has seen its rivals close its lead, while Apple has full carrier distribution in the country.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: In Japan, this is at least as significant as Verizon Wireless finally getting iPhone in the U.S., and probably even more significant than that.
NTT DoCoMo and Apple team up to offer iPhone in Japan on Friday, September 20 – September 10, 2013
Japan’s DoCoMo paying heavily for not carrying Apple iPhone – July 5, 2013
Japan’s iPhone have-not Docomo loses record 40,800 subscribers in November as customers switch carriers for iPhone 5 – December 7, 2012


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OUT OF THE BRONX: Everlast Worldwide is closing its Bronx factory and laying off 100 people as a result. The company will fold those operations into its existing Moberly, Mo., sporting goods manufacturing facility.
As part of the relocation and consolidation, the company will incur a nonrecurring restructuring charge in the fourth quarter against income from operations of about $1.7 million.
The company expects to save $2.8 million annually from the relocation and restructuring, said George Horowitz, chairman and chief executive officer of Everlast Worldwide.
“We’re in a highly competitive industry where few sporting goods brands own and operate manufacturing facilities in North America,” he said. “In order to remain competitive, we need to focus our resources on the most cost-efficient manufacturing and supply-chain processes, while enhancing our sales and marketing efforts in support of our retail customer relationships.”
ON BOARD AT RUSSELL: Russell Corp. has named Julio A. Barea senior vice president of the company and ceo for the domestic activewear business. Barea is based at company headquarters in Atlanta and reports to Jonathan R. Letzler, president and chief operating officer.
FORE BOBBY JONES: Hickey Freeman Co., the Hartmarx Corp. subsidiary, will open a 1,300-square-foot Bobby Jones store in Atlanta on Nov. 22. Women’s and men’s sportswear and outerwear will be sold in the new space. This marks the third Bobby Jones freestanding store.
Jones was a legendary golfer who grew up in Atlanta and is well known in that area, noted Paulette Garafalo, group president and chief operating officer of Hickey Freeman.


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China is Buick’s largest market, which probably plays some part in General Motors’ decision to continually launch products there first that will eventually find their way into North American showrooms. It started with the new Envision SUV, and is continuing with the next-generation Verano, to be sold as the Excelle in China.
Buick China has released a teaser image of the all-new Excelle prior to its debut on March 2nd. The next-gen Excelle will ride on a version of GM’s D2XX global vehicle architecture, which it will share with the 2016 Cruze and the 2016 Opel Astra K. We expect the new Excelle/Verano to also share some of its powertrain components with the new Cruze, such as the 1.5-liter Ecotec engine and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The teaser image shows a front end which looks lower and wider than the outgoing Verano’s, evidence of the new D2XX underpinnings. The headlights look unmistakably European and we’d be surprised to learn they weren’t Opel’s doing entirely. Additionally, China’s red, white and blue tri-shield Buick emblem is shown, which is set to make a return on North American Buick products.
Buick will show us the Verano in its entirety on March 2nd, with a world debut scheduled for April 20 in Shanghai.


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Trade Minister Tareq Qabil said that developing the accreditation system is a priority to the Trade and Industry Ministry in the current period to increase the competitiveness and quality of Egyptian products at the local and foreign markets.
During a meeting with the board of the Egyptian Accreditation Council (EGAC) on Monday 21/12/2015, Qabil said that certificates issued by EGAC are internationally recognized, contributing to the smooth flow of Egyptian exports to world markets.
The board had agreed to start a new project on mechanizing all the board's technical, financial and administrative activities to ease measures on the sides dealing with EGAC, he said.
For his part, Executive Director of EGAC Hany el-Dessouki said that the council had acquired the full membership of two of the world's largest accreditation organizations and signed agreements with them: the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and International Accreditation Forum (IAF).
EGAC is also seeking to get international recognition from the European co-operation for Accreditation, he said.


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Source: Vietnam Beer Alcohol Beverage Association According to London-based Euromonitor International’s market research on the Vietnamese soft drinks market, all soft drinks categories recorded positive performance in 2017, with some seeing strong double-digit growth in total volume, including sports drinks, juice drinks, still bottled water, and 100 per cent juice, among others. The four biggest names in Vietnam’s sweetened beverage market include the US’ Coca-Cola Vietnam, Suntory PepsiCo (a fully foreign-owned joint venture between PepsiCo and Japan’s Suntory Holdings Limited), URC Vietnam from the Philippines, and Vietnam’s Tan Hiep Phat – all of which have grand designs in Vietnam. Healthy growth in soft drinks Coca-Cola recently attended meetings with Vietnamese leaders to discuss opening a new $300 million production facility in Hanoi, its fourth in the country. The corporation is currently seeking a suitable location for the plant that … [Read more...] about Soft drinks see hard competition
Probiotics 300 billion
At the upcoming Vitafoods Asia exhibition, you can see exactly how the food, supplement, beauty and pharmaceutical industries are being transformed by innovators and scientists who are working to deliver optimal health in what you consume. The exhibition is a full-service look into the nutraceuticals industry, from its key ingredients, to contract manufacturing and labelling to services & equipment and branded finished products. Along with what is being offered commercially, there’s much opportunity to discover what is also in development. For example, how modern medicine is being sourced and developed from natural ingredients. Bringing innovation and invention to the forefront Vitafoods Asia brings together manufacturers at the forefront of innovation and invention in the industry to meet and discuss their product development challenges. Visitors that attend Vitafoods Asia can meet and source from suppliers of the very latest products hitting the market. … [Read more...] about How science is shaping the future of nutritious consumables?
On April 10 Vingroup said in its website that it had established Vinfa JSC and would spend VND2.2 trillion ($96.5 million) to set up a 10 hectare drug manufacturing and research centre in Gia Binh District in the northern province of Bac Ninh. — Photo Vingroup After making an entry into the automobile manufacturing industry, Vingroup, the country’s leading property company, has set its sights on the US$5.3 billion pharmaceutical sector. On April 10 Vingroup said in its website that it had established Vinfa JSC and would spend VND2.2 trillion ($96.5 million) to set up a 10 hectare drug manufacturing and research centre in Gia Binh District in the northern province of Bac Ninh. The first phase is scheduled to be launched in the third quarter of this year with research, production, logistics, and support facilities. The first priority of the centre is research into and production of traditional medicines of Vietnamese origin for both the domestic and export markets. Besides, … [Read more...] about Drug firms spend huge sums to drive growth


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Ulta Beauty has announced Q4 and full-year financial results for fiscal 2021. The beauty brand brought in net sales of $2.6 billion for the year, with a comparable sales increase of 21.4% and net income of net income of $289.4 million.
“Our fiscal year ended with better-than-expected performance, reflecting excellent, enterprise-wide execution against our fourth quarter plans as well as stronger consumer demand and the strength of Ulta Beauty’s differentiated model. I want to express my sincere appreciation to all Ulta Beauty associates who continue to provide exceptional care and service to our guests and to each other, while successfully navigating pandemic-related challenges and delivering strong results for all our stakeholders,” said Dave Kimbell, Chief Executive Officer.
- Net sales increased 24.1% to $2.7 billion compared to $2.2 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 due to the favorable impact from stronger consumer confidence and fewer COVID-19 restrictions compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.
- Comparable sales increased 21.4% compared to a decrease of 4.8% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, driven by a 10.4% increase in transactions and a 9.9% increase in average ticket. Compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, comparable sales increased 15.4%.
- Gross profit increased to $1.0 billion compared to $771.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.
- Operating income increased to $375.6 million, or 13.8% of net sales, compared to $224.3 million, or 10.2% of net sales, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.
- Net income increased to $289.4 million compared to $171.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 was $193.4 million.
- Ulta opened 6 new stores across the US in Q4, bringing their total store count to 1,308 stores totaling 13.8 million square feet.
Fiscal 2021 Highlights:
- Net sales increased 40.3% to $8.6 billion compared to $6.2 billion in fiscal 2020, primarily due to the favorable impact from improving consumer confidence, government stimulus payments, and the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, as compared to fiscal 2020.
- Comparable sales increased 37.9% compared to a decrease of 17.9% in fiscal 2020, driven by a 30.0% increase in transactions and a 6.0% increase in average ticket. Compared to fiscal 2019, comparable sales increased 12.6%.
- Gross profit increased to $3.4 billion compared to $1.9 billion in fiscal 2020.
- Net income increased to $985.8 million compared to $175.8 million in fiscal 2020.
“The Beauty category is healthy and growing, and we are confident the recovery that began in 2021 will continue, as consumers maintain their self-care routines, become more resilient to COVID surges, and engage in more leisure and social activities. Our outlook for fiscal 2022 reflects our expectations for Beauty growth as well as the challenge of lapping exceptional performance in fiscal 2021, ongoing wage and supply chain cost pressures, and investments in new capabilities to support future growth,” added Kimbell.
Source: Ulta Press Release
Photo Credit: WWD


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IKEA Canada 2015 Summary Report solidifies retailer as leader in life at home with a 10.4 per cent growth
05 Nov, 2015, 09:30 ET
First annual report showcases IKEA Canada's FY15 financial results, sustainability achievements, product innovations and plans for coast-to-coast growth
BURLINGTON, ON, Nov. 5, 2015 /CNW/ - IKEA Canada today announced sales results of $1.795 billion for the 2015 Fiscal year ending August 31st. With more Canadians making trips to IKEA both in our stores and online, this past year visits increased in-store by four per cent to more than 26 million, while online interactions grew at an even faster pace with 75 million visits to IKEA's web and mobile platforms, including our new IKEA Store App.
"I am inspired by what we have accomplished together thanks to the dedication of our great IKEA co-workers and the loyalty of our customers across the country," said IKEA Canada President, Stefan Sjöstrand. "Fiscal 2015 has been a fantastic year for IKEA Canada and our efforts to be a leading choice for the many Canadians."
Today's release of the 2015 Summary Report at the Toronto Board of Trade marks the first time IKEA Canada has publicly disclosed such business information and is part of the company's efforts to be transparent and accountable to its co-workers and customers.
This year was a year of major developments and growth for IKEA Canada's online offerings and our ability to interact with Canadians no matter where they are. With a nearly 40 per cent jump in purchases on both web and mobile platforms, eCommerce was up significantly and for the first time in IKEA Canada's history exceeded the $100 million mark with total online sales of $103 million.
Fiscal 2015 has also been extremely successful in many other ways for IKEA Canada, especially around the company's sustainability initiatives. For the first time ever, IKEA Canada is energy independent thanks to IKEA's new wind farm in Southern Alberta beginning operations as well as solar installations on many of its stores. IKEA Canada now produces roughly three times more energy than is consumed by its operations.
IKEA is also the first major Canadian retailer to sell only energy efficient LED light bulbs and to install free Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at all of its stores. In addition, IKEA stores are now diverting 85 per cent of waste from going into landfills thanks to robust recycling programs and changes throughout their supply chain.
"IKEA's goal is to be both people and planet positive, including helping Canadians live a more sustainable life at home," added Sjöstrand. "For example, so far this year, IKEA Canada has sold 1.5 million LED bulbs, which means we have helped Canadians save $12 million in energy costs just in this year alone."
Fiscal 2015 has also seen the start of a push by IKEA Canada to increase accessibility coast-to-coast. The retailer has already kick-started this initiative with the announcement of five innovative new IKEA Pick-Up and Order Points (Quebec City, London, ON, St. Catharines, Whitby and Windsor) and plans to double the number of Canadian stores over the next decade.
IKEA is a leading home furnishing retailer with 361 stores in more than 50 countries worldwide, which are visited by 821 million people every year. IKEA Canada has 12 stores, an eCommerce virtual store and five newly announced Pick-Up and Order Points. Last year, IKEA Canada welcomed 25 million visitors to its stores and 75 million visitors to the IKEA.ca website. Founded in 1943, IKEA's business philosophy is to offer a wide range of products of good design and function at prices so low, the majority of people can afford them. For more information on IKEA, please visit: www.IKEA.ca.
SOURCE IKEA Canada
For further information: please contact: Tanya Bevington, Corporate Communications Manager, IKEA Canada, 905-637-9440 x 6224, [email protected]
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THE BAHAMAS BASKS IN RENEWED SPIRIT OF OPTIMISM
As it prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its independence next year, The Bahamas is entering a new era of prosperity driven by a resurgence in tourism, financial services & foreign investment all across this warm-hearted & outward-looking island nation.
Located little more than an hour’s flight from the US mainland and consisting of some 700 coral islands of beguiling tropical beauty, The Bahamas has long been a favored destination for American vacationers of all descriptions. It is a place where dolphins frolic in turquoise waters and swimming piglets play with day trippers on white-sand beaches. From honeymooning couples exploring deserted cays in soft evening breezes, to hardened deepsea fishermen on a quest for marlin, The Bahamas offers something for everyone searching for a post-pandemic adventure.
In recent years, multibillion dollar investments in luxury resorts have given tourism in The Bahamas a new dimension. At these beachside palaces of pleasure, amidst a dazzling variety of amusement parks, golf courses, casinos, bars, restaurants and spas, no expense is spared to help guests create memories that will last a lifetime. While the tourism sector is the largest contributor to the economy and the largest employer, The Bahamas is also home to a rapidly growing financial services industry. On its stable political and legal foundations, the country has developed into a world-leading financial center in areas such as private banking, mutual funds and investment advisory services. With a low-tax regulatory regime that has received the seal of approval from international authorities, The Bahamas is now expanding into new segments such as insurance and has become a global hub for cryptocurrencies and other digital assets. This economic resurgence is generating new opportunities for foreign investors to participate in the Bahamian growth story, from highnet-worth individuals buying oceanside real estate to multinationals investing in upgrading the country’s busy roads, ports and airports. For the Bahamian government, it is a strategic priority to minimize red tape, support entrepreneurs and welcome new levels of foreign investment across the economy. Now more than ever, The Bahamas is open for investors, business and visitors from around the world.


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Last Updated: Thursday, August 08, 2013, 21:06
Micromax co-founder Rajesh Agarwal, who has been arrested by CBI in a bribery case, has "stepped down from his duties", the domestic mobile phone maker said Thursday.
Last Updated: Thursday, August 08, 2013, 19:37
During the hearing, CBI sought seven days police custody of the accused to find out how many other government officials or persons were involved in the case.
Last Updated: Tuesday, October 09, 2012, 14:03
Mobile handset maker Micromax Tuesday announced its foray into the television segment with the launch of a range of LED TVs priced between Rs 15,990 and Rs 1,29,990.
more videos >>


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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that their administration is expanding its efforts to guard New Yorkers from illegal, online financing that is payday associated fraudulent tasks that harm customers. The Department of Financial Services (DFS) delivered subpoenas to 16 online lead generation organizations suspected of misleading or deceptive advertising of unlawful, payday loans online in ny as an element of an extensive and ongoing research. DFS suspects that these businesses are placing clients vulnerable to punishment by collecting and offering their information this is certainly individual to illegal online payday lenders and also other businesses, including scam artists, in breach of completely new York State legislation.
Formerly this current 12 months, my administration established an investigation of online loan providers that are payday
So we are expanding this research to guard New Yorkers from similar frauds that ensnare families in endless rounds of financial obligation, Governor Cuomo stated today. We shall continue to follow this extensive research anywhere it leads and use every unit at our disposal to shield New Yorkers from those who seek out to target upon vulnerable customers.
Benjamin M. Lawsky, Superintendent of Financial Services, said, Payday funding is illegal in ny and so may be the marketing that is misleading of unlawful loans by lead generators. Whats worse would be the fact that weve received complaints from New Yorkers going to create leads businesses connected with frauds, harassing phone calls, misleading marketing, and privacy breaches. New Yorkers might get sucked straight into an evidently endless black colored opening of customer punishment if they provide their sensitive information that is private these types of web web internet web sites.
To create leads businesses usually try not to typically make payday improvements directly, but rather generate web sites marketing those loans which can be unlawful. Through claims of use of quick cash, the to come up with leads companies entice clients to provide these with delicate information this is certainly individual such as for instance social security and checking account figures after which it may provide that information to payday loan providers operating unlawfully in ny as well as other companies. Contained in its research, DFS has heard complaints from ny clients against lots among these to come up with leads businesses about false and misleading advertising (including celebrity suggestions), harassing phone calls, questionable solicitations, privacy breaches, and also other problems.
Payday financing is unlawful in nyc under both unlawful and civil usury statutes.
In some complete situations, however, financial institutions make an effort to skirt brand title name brand name brand new Yorks prohibition on payday funding by giving loans on the net, hoping to avoid prosecution. Nonetheless, online financing that is payday combined with misleading or deceptive marketing of the loans to New Yorkers, is simply as unlawful as payday financing manufactured in person in nyc.
In August 2013, DFS demanded that 35 companies cease and desist supplying illegal payday loans online in violation of brand name York that is new legislation. Almost all these businesses (at the very least 23) have ceased business in ny after having the letters from DFS. Governor Cuomo additionally announced for the reason that Superintendent Lawsky delivered letters to 117 banking institutions in addition to NACHA, which regulates making use of the Automated Clearing https://quickpaydayloan.info/payday-loans-ak/ House (ACH) system and whoever board includes representatives from the quantity of the banking institutions asking for which they assist DFS to cut down usage of ny client is the reason payday loan providers operating unlawfully august. Moreover Superintendent Lawsky delivered a typical page in August to all or any collection that is commercial companies operating in ny specially directing them not to gather on illegal payday advances from the firms DFS research had identified so far, since such loans are null and void.
A listing of the 16 to build leads businesses to which DFS issued subpoenas is included below. DFS is demanding a number of materials as a feature of their ongoing research, including advertising materials, agreements for item income of client information and privacy policies.
Clients who believe that these are the target of a bad nasty cash loan company or lead generation company operating unlawfully or if perhaps a monetary responsibility collector is wanting to get for an illegal advance loan can register an issue with the Department of Financial Services at (800) 342-3736. DFS has also posted information on its website for clients about fighting unlawful payday loans online, which is provided by the hyperlink that is after.
Clients can avoid prepaid card and also other frauds related to advance loan to generate leads internet sites making use of these precautions which are easy


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Hello Mike. Please send us the email with concern to [email protected], please note: here is the only Russian speaking chat. Please Join to the official English chatroom https://t.me/crypterium for further assistance
Some great news has evidently stirred up our community. Crypterium is launching the US office in Silicon Valley with former Chairman of Lufthansa in charge!The US market is one of the largest markets in the world — people are making payments over millions of dollars using bank cards. Of course, we are going to take some share of this pie!Learn the details here: https://crypterium.com/news/open/b82396cf-5485-49a6-8884-0a282cdfb81d
Crypterium's COO, Austin Kimm is providing the keynote speaking session at the free online conference run by Newconomy next week sharing his idea and opinion on the following topic - "Crypto is the future of payments".You can watch his speech on December 4 at 10AM (EST).Get free access to the conference here: https://promo.newconomy.media/en/lp/newconference/
Today, Crypterium COO Austin Kimm and Rafael Carrascosa, Global Partnerships Manager, are coming to China to discuss a potential partnership with one of the biggest Chinese exchanges.Sounds intriguing, right?We hope to get good news from the team soon. Stay tuned to Crypterium official announcements.
Цитата:"Using the same feature you can buy more presents to sweeten up the Christmas shopping wherever bank transfers are acceptable. Here’s our list of presents that are most popular in our company или че-то такое".
Steven Parker, Crypterium CEO, will be happy to get acquainted with project enthusiasts during a Livestream that he will hold together with Austin Kimm.Prepare your questions and share them on the official Telegram chat. Let's discuss the Crypterium progress and what can we expect in 2019.Stay tuned to our Facebook. See you there on December 19 at 3 PM (GMT).
Yes. I believe Austin said the first card solution would be a top-up card. Meaning you would probably load the card up in the app with a crypto and burn .5% CRPT then. I am not sure of the exact process though. We will be sharing more of the operational details of our cards as we begin releasing them.


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March of the Pound Shops
Monty's in Ealing has closed to be replaced by Poundland
As the debate about the future of the town centre rumbles on one of Ealing's curry house institutions has quietly closed its doors to be be replaced by a discount store.
Monty's Tandoori restaurant - near the Post Office in Ealing Broadway, shut last month. Managers say the last two years have proved difficult and they have been struggling with rent and rates, but plan to re-open another branch in Hounslow.
The site is not being left vacant for long. Discount trader Poundland (which closed a branch in West Ealing last year) will open later this month - creating 30 new jobs.
Poundland's Trading Director, David Coxon, said: "We're absolutely thrilled to be opening a store in Ealing, creating jobs and great shopping opportunities.
"I'm sure the savvy shoppers in the area will be delighted by the amazing value that Poundland offers.
March 8th, 2010


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Infinix Father’s Day Sale: Up to Php 2,000 discount on your favorite models
Get up to Php2,000 discount at the Infinix Father’s Day Sale on June 19-20.
Calling all Galaxy smartphone users: #FindEpic moments with Galaxy and get a chance to win a Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G or a Samsung 55” The Serif TV
Samsung invites all Galaxy smartphone users to celebrate their small everyday wins at home through #FindEpic with Galaxy.
Gift Ideas for our Superhero Dads
Home Credit, the country’s leading consumer finance company with nationwide store presence and rapidly growing mobile presence, has got you covered with a list of useful and affordable gift ideas that our working superhero dads would surely love.
Sony Launches New Limited Edition WH-1000XM4 Silent White
Designed in a new Silent White color to reflect the concept of silence and serenity of the noise cancelling headphones
World of Warcraft Shadowlands: Chains of Domination Content Update Goes Live June 29!
Azeroth’s champions must unite the four covenants of the Shadowlands and face the Jailer’s forces when the next chapter in the Shadowlands story, Chains of Domination, goes live on June 29!
Google Selects 3rd Gen AMD EPYC™ Processors to Launch First Tau VM Instance
AMD EPYC processors enable Google Cloud to provide customers with industry leading performance and price-performance for scale-out workloads —
Brother Philippines officially certified by Great Place To Work
The certification is effective from May 2021 until May 2022.
Sony Philippines holds first-ever Camera Week exclusive on Lazada
Cop your dream cameras, lenses, and accessories from Sony Philippines as they give us a FULL WEEK of huge discounts with its first and biggest camera deals exclusive on Lazada!
Globe retains top spot in Netflix ISP Speed Index for the fourth time in 2021
Globe retained its top spot in Netflix ISP Speed Index for May, marking the fourth time this year that the company is recognized for its unrelenting efforts to provide world-class internet connectivity in the country.
Chupa Chups Brings MLBB and UniPin Philippines in New Product Collaboration for Gamers
The Chupa Chups Jellies Back to School Fun Packs just made playing your favourite mobile game more fun.


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Those of you who attended the Birdshot Day on 3 March will remember our very inspiring speaker, Professor Glen Jeffery and his research into Vitamin D.
Coincidentally, John Hall, one of our Directors, was diving in Palau last week and found a very extensive article on Vitamin D. (for those of you who, like me, don’t know where Palau is – I looked it up – it is an island off the Philippines).
The full article can be found at
The article reviews all the research and all the arguments both for and against Vitamin D and looks at why it might be a useful remedy.
Please remember the warnings though – those of us who are on steroids and immunosuppressants are already putting some strain on our liver/kidneys, so please ALWAYS check with your consultant if you want to add supplements into your regime, as they can and do interact with your medication.


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.Anheuser-Busch faced a fierce backlash last month after transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney posted an Instagram video on April 1 featuring Bud Light beers that were sent to her, including a can with her face on it, to celebrate her first year of womanhood."We believe there is a subset of American consumers who will not drink a Bud Light for the foreseeable future," JPMorgan analyst Jared Dinges wrote in a client note.Newsweek has reached out to Anheuser-Busch via email for comment.Within days of Mulvaney's Instagram post, the beer brand found itself in the middle of an anti-trans firestorm and conservative calls to boycott Bud Light, including attacks from names like musician Kid Rock, GOP Senator Marsha Blackburn and controversial media figure Caitlyn Jenner.The boycott quickly led to a drop in sales for the nation's top-selling beer brand. Nearly two months later, experts do not expect those sales to recover in the short-term.Bud Light sales were down 24.6 percent in the week ending May 13, according to industry data by Bump Williams Consulting and NielsenIQ research.Last year, Bud Light brought in $4.8 billion in sales, Bump Williams reported.The controversy appears to also be hurting other Anheuser-Busch brands, such as Budweiser and Michelob Ultra, while boosting rival brands like Coors Light and Miller Lite, which Beer Business Daily reports seeing a 16.9 percent and 15.1 percent sales increase, respectively.It is not only conservatives or anti-trans consumers that have criticized Anheuser-Busch in recent weeks.
Meaws.com provides you with the latest lgbt news worldwide. Gossips, photos and videos, exclusive interviews, breaking news from the rainbow world of queer people are waiting for you here. So, stay tuned and get to know who, where, when and with whom in the world of lgbt, happy and proud people. Are you eager to know first!? Then just follow us every day and we will offer you more and more!
Owner: SNOWLAND s.r.o.
Registration certificate 06691200
16200, Na okraji 381/41, Veleslavín, 162 00 Praha 6


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For nearly a decade, TENOVERSIX has scored well-deserved spots on many a best-of LA shopping list — and with good reason. Known for its curated mix of cult-fave luxury labels and indie designers, the Melrose Avenue boutique has been a destination for cool-girl style, which is why we're incredibly sad to report that the retail icon is closing its LA boutique's doors forever next month.
Per a press release, stylish store owners Kristen Lee and Brady Cunningham reveal that they're focusing their energy on expanding their Dallas outpost and opening stores in Miami (due later this year in time for Art Basel) and New York City (set to open in 2018).
"Since we opened our first store in Los Angeles…things have shifted dramatically with new galleries, restaurants, bars, and retail taking on a life of its own," Lee explains in the announcement. "It's an entirely new landscape compared to the days when we were one of the first to offer a complete retail experience comprising a curated assortment of emerging fashion, design, homeware and printed matter. There wasn't much of that back then."
She adds that "things change however, and so do we, which is why its so important for us to acknowledge our West Coast camaraderie of designers and clientele have helped shape TENOVERSIX into what it is today. We have loved being part of the creative community and collective expression that is Los Angeles as essentially this is the city that has not only shaped our brand, but our style and our vibe."
To soften the blow, the store's hosting a major closing sale starting tomorrow. Swing by to bid adieu to the beloved store while saving up to 80% off clothing, footwear, accessories, home decor, stationery, and more from designers like Shaina Mote, Maryam Nassir Zadeh, Rachel Comey, and others.
8425 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90069
Monday – Saturday: 11am to 6pm
Sunday: 12 to 6pmd


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Mercedes-Benz E-class coupe gets sleeker for 2018Mon, 09, Jan 2017
Mercedes unveils roomier E-class coupeMon, 19, Dec 2016
Mercedes-Benz teases the E-class coupeMon, 12, Dec 2016
Mercedes-Benz has released a teaser video of its soon-to-be unveiled E-class coupe. The 21-second clip, which focuses on the car's headlights, dash and taillights, says the car will first appear on Wednesday, Dec. 14.
Cue the '18 Mercedes E-class coupeMon, 17, Oct 2016
Report: Coupe version of BMW 7 series comingMon, 05, Sep 2016
BMW plans a sporty two-door version of its flagship 7 series for as soon as 2019, a source told Bloomberg. The luxury coupe is the first of several new versions BMW is considering to give sales of its top model a lift.
Mercedes-Benz gives luxury coupe a spin ahead of California showThu, 11, Aug 2016
Range Rover Sport Coupe in the works?Mon, 20, Jun 2016
Porsche gives new Cayman downsized, turbo engineMon, 25, Apr 2016
Porsche introduced the third generation of its midengine Cayman sports coupe at the Beijing auto show, a model with virtually the same performance specs as its Boxster roadster sibling, including a new 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that has a turbocharger to achieve both better output and lower CO2 emissions.
Jaguar will unveil F-Type range topperWed, 17, Feb 2016
Volume sellers they are not, but two-door cars keep comingSat, 06, Feb 2016
Viper-like 2-seater could make a comeback, Marchionne hintsMon, 25, Jan 2016
Opel concept to preview future designMon, 25, Jan 2016
General Motors' Opel/Vauxhall division will unveil a coupe concept in March at the Geneva auto show that will point to its future design language. The car will be badged GT in recognition of the Opel GT subcompact coupe built between 1968 and 1973. The Geneva concept is expected to be a similar size.


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- BBC News World
Airbnb has permanently banned parties and home events held on its site.
This measure was temporarily imposed during epidemics, but that changed Very popular with hostsThat is, those who make their homes available.
The company says the rule has changed “beyond public health action” since its introduction in August 2020.
“Supporting our hosts and their neighbors has become an important social policy,” said the San Francisco-based company.
However, Airbnb added Removes the limit on the number of people who can stay in a homeAnother measure imposed during epidemics and assumed that there should be a maximum of 16 people per shelter.
The company explained the ban on parties, after applying this rule in 2020, The The number of complaints related to this feature has been reduced by 44%.
“The temporary ban has proven its effectiveness and today we officially mark the ban as our policy,” the statement said.
However, Airbnb considers it in the future There are exceptions to this rule.The company has imposed a resident limit, especially on “regular hospitality and departmental locations”, due to current concerns about the spread of Covit-19, with a limit on the number of people who can stay in the hostel.
Now he promises that “there are many different types of large houses that can comfortably and safely accommodate more than 16 people, from palaces in Europe, vineyards in the United States or large villas facing the Caribbean Sea.”
“The removal of this limit is intended to allow those hosts to use the space in their homes responsibly while complying with our ban on disruptive parties,” the document states.
The company began to impose Restrictions on parties in 2019. After seeing the call on social networks, he repeatedly banned “open door” parties, wherever anyone wanted to go.
They also banned so-called “chronic party houses”, places where such incidents recur and were a nuisance to neighbors.
But it was during the epidemics that Airbnb introduced an indefinite ban on parties “for public health.”
Further Accounts of more than 6,000 users registered on the site have been suspended As guests last year after violating Airbnb’s rules.
“This new long-term policy is designed to promote and support social security,” Airbnb said in a statement.
“We look forward to sharing more announcements in the coming weeks about our efforts to implement this Social Party policy.”
Now you can get notifications from BBC World. Download the latest version of our app and activate it so you don’t miss out on our great content.
“Music ninja. Analyst. Typical coffee lover. Travel evangelist. Proud explorer.”


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Sandro to open Central London flagship store
Launching later this year, the boutique at 137-139 Regent Street will create a destination for all things Sandro in the heart of London’s West End. The space will carry the brand’s full collection, including women’s fashion and accessories.
Founded in 1984, the upmarket label is the embodiment of Parisian fashion and is known for its sophisticated yet effortlessly cool designs. The Sandro woman wears well-cut classics and feminine dresses with a rock’n’roll aesthetic. The brand launched its first boutique in Paris in 2004 and has since made its mark in some of the world's top fashion capitals, including New York and Milan.
In London, Sandro has a number of standalone stores in locations such as Mayfair, Canary Wharf and King’s Road.
“The UK is a strategic and very dynamic market for Sandro and since our first opening here in 2009, the brand has flourished. We’re extremely proud to announce this new flagship store on Regent Street, which signals a major step in our international development and a true milestone for the brand,” said Sandro CEO Jean-Philippe Hecquet.
“Since Sandro’s creation, the brand’s sleek, cool style has attracted loyal customers across the UK and internationally. Their blend of accessible luxury and Parisian allure makes Sandro a seamless addition to Regent Street and we’re delighted they’ve chosen it for their new London flagship,” added Katerina Mercury, asset manager for Regent Street at The Crown Estate.
Sandro will be the latest international fashion brand to join Regent Street, alongside recent additions including Tory Burch, Lululemon, Coach and Kate Spade.
Copyright © 2022 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.


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Confidence index hits highest point since 2003
DO NOT USE TOO SMALL
The GKI-Erste combined consumer-business confidence index has shown improving sentiment for several consecutive months and in November reached three-year statistical peaks with a score of -6.1. But even last month’s nice figures paled in comparison to the December upswing, a combined mark of -2.9, the highest seen since 2003.
On one side, consumer confidence rose from the already impressive -23.2 score in November to -22.7 this month for a three-year peak; in October, the score was -29.4.
Most notable of all, however, was easily the +4 score given in business confidence: This marks the first time a positive score was earned on the GKI-Erste metric since 2010 and, incredibly enough, the highest since 2001.
Business news outlet Portfolio.hu noted that “Only the construction industry index remained in the negative range,” while “Confidence in retail and wholesale trade has risen significantly. Respondents commented favorably on sales position, inventory stock and expected new orders alike. Sales forecasts were an area where service companies became particularly more optimistic from November to December, while their general business confidence has also improved.”
The GKI-Erste confidence index is adjusted for seasonal effects and prepared with the support of the European Union.
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Acquire absent foods outlets will have to charge their customers if they present them with throwaway cups and plastic containers from July 2023, junior surroundings minister Vivianne Heijnen informed MPs on Tuesday.
The new regulations use to ‘to go’ generates sold at stations, in petrol stations and other retailers, Heijnen reported. It will be up to the vendor to decide how substantially to cost for the packaging.
From 2024, throwaway cups at the place of work ought to be replaced by resusable kinds and the use of plastic beer eyeglasses and packaging will also be outlawed at festivals and in cafes and snackbars.
Hospitals may possibly proceed to use plastic goods as lengthy as most are recycled.
‘Every day, in the Netherlands on your own, we throw away 19 million plastic cups and food offers, immediately after applying them just the moment,’ Heijnen explained in her briefing. ‘We should not be saddling long term generations with the issue and we want to swap from disposables to reusables.’
New procedures are also getting released in 2023 which will move on the bill for cleaning up plastic litter to the producers. The evaluate will focus on the producers of plastic cups, food packaging, baggage, cigarette butts, balloons and soaked wipes, Heijnen reported.
The funds raised will be passed on to local authorities which are liable for clearing up litter.
The new actions derive from EU huge rules on single use plastics.
Because expenses were being released for plastic bags in 2017, the range of baggage identified in common litter has dropped by 70%.
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl
The DutchNews.nl crew would like to thank all the generous readers who have made a donation in new weeks. Your financial support has aided us to increase our coverage of the coronavirus crisis into the evenings and weekends and make certain you are saved up to date with the hottest developments.
DutchNews.nl has been absolutely free for 14 years, but without the need of the economic backing of our readers, we would not be capable to offer you with truthful and accurate news and functions about all factors Dutch. Your contributions make this probable.
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Tanzania’s Minister of Agriculture Japhet Hasunga recently announced that the its government plans to triple cashew nuts production to 1 million tons over the next four to five years.
Tanzania’s current cashew nuts output is estimated at 290,000 tons but as the government encourages cultivation in more provinces and enhances transparency in the trade, it has the potential to become the world’s largest exporter of the nuts.
According to the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council, in 2017-18 cashew nuts global output was 3.3 million tons, of which more than half came from Coast and Guinea-Bissau. India and Vietnam were the other main producers together with Tanzania.
In November 2018, the Tanzanian government declared that it will be the sole buyer of cashew nuts produced by local farmers who struggled to get a decent price for their crops in the local market.
In November 2019, Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa announced that the government released the final TZS 40 billion (USD 17 million) it owed cashew nuts farmers for the previous season.
Tanzania is known to produce premium quality cashew nuts fetching higher prices in the world markets compared to cashew nuts from other countries in Africa.
Such quality is attributed to favorable weather and soil conditions coupled with good agricultural practices exercised in the farms.
However, most of the production of cashew nuts in Tanzania is exported without being shelled. The main destination of exports is India where raw cashew nuts are either shelled for export or used in.
This is why the Government of Tanzania (GoT) is actively seeking investors in cashew nuts processing and has recently produced a study that identifies investment opportunities in cashew nut growing and processing in the country.


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04 Feb 2020
Data and AI talents the latest to profit from Ireland’s tech success
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A year after Brexit’s unsettling effect was first felt, a lively tech industry is driving strong demand for talent requiring global recruitment efforts.
While the coming years will tell their own unfolding story, the current snapshot of the tech sector in Ireland defies predictions of any negative effects. The picture is of a lively industry with an optimistic outlook for 2020.
Ireland’s Silicon Docks, where you’ll find the European HQs of Google, Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin, continues to gain momentum. This now well-established hub has created a culture in which many technology entrepreneurs are hungry to succeed and it’s attracted the attention of international investors.
Tech Ireland’s H1 Funding Review 2019 records investment of €437 million in Irish start-ups and scale-up businesses, a 10% increase on the same period last year.
Nineteen companies raised between €5 million and €50 million, up from nine in H1 2018. The distribution of funding seems to reflect companies’ levels of growth and proven success, rather than dizzying potential. 40% went to well-established tech firms, while just 10% was invested in companies under four years old.
FinTech and payment solutions continue to flourish
The Irish tech sector bustled with new appointments during 2018, particularly in the area of FinTech and payments.
Though already successfully disrupting the landscape of financial services, these areas are still showing huge potential. 50% of the world’s population now transact online and this is steadily growing. The global digital payments transaction value was US$3.6 trillion in 2018 and is expected to reach US$6.7 trillion by 2023. Europe has been a less eager adopter of new platforms compared to China and the US.
Global talent reach
Both already-scaled, amply-funded companies and those in the process of scaling are investing in new talent. The well-known multinational players in the technology sector have similarly been expanding their talent pools to answer steady growth. Securing the bright sparks to fill these positions has been a challenge.
Ireland has a strong talent pool, but in such a competitive landscape, we continually cast our nets far and wide to fill positions.
The Odgers Berndtson Global Technology Practice is kept on its toes in an environment where suitable candidates have a choice of attractive moves at their fingertips.
Modern companies vs traditional businesses
Counter-offers are particularly challenging for traditional businesses in trying to engage new hires. Ambitious and experienced tech talent is drawn to a new model of company where exciting, innovative technology and new marketing models offer the cutting edge they want to line up with.
Technical roles like Chief Product Officer, Head of Engineering and Chief Technical Officer have been much in demand, along with CFOs, commercial technology directors and supporting roles in HR and Marketing.
Big data getting bigger
Ireland is undoubtedly still an attractive location for those in the tech sector. The number of companies, investors and candidates that continue to give it serious consideration is growing, despite the impending Brexit. Or, perhaps, because of it.
Looking to 2020, big data is set to get bigger, so big that cloud storage was predicted to equal device storage by 2019.
Traditional storage solutions will no longer be capable of handling the endless and burgeoning stream of data, strengthening the growth of blockchain technology and dependence on cloud storage. (Between 2017 and 2018, investment in blockchain start-ups grew by almost 300%.)
Used intelligently, advanced data-processing systems can generate output that helps strategy, innovation and the navigation of a competitive environment through specialisation and customisation.
We’re anticipating significant interest in the coming year in data scientists, data officers and those with advanced knowledge in AI. For them, and others in tech, Ireland continues to be the place to grow a business and a career.


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The EFF has filed an appeal seeking to free the hacker and self-described internet troll, who exploited a hole in AT&T's publicly facing website to siphon the personal data of more than 100,000 iPad owners.
Renowned Chrome hacker Pinkie Pie, who scooped the prize at last year's Pwnium competition, didn't quite get across the line this year.
But Google will pay him a one-third-sized consolation prize anyway, for "honoring the spirit of the competition."
When security researchers make available proof of concept code to demonstrate vulnerabilities, are they actually supporting the malicious exploit kit authors?
SophosLabs expert Gabor Szappanos shows that the creators of exploit kits aren't the ones discovering the zero day vulnerabilities.
If you've found a security issue with PayPal, you could receive a monetary reward for informing the firm responsibly.


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The Malta based casino game studio Green Jade Games have today announced the release of their latest game, a whack a mole inspired game in the form of Tap Tap Splat.
An cartoon animated styled game, Tap Tap Splat allows players to bet on their chances of success in splatting as many jelly monsters that pop up randomly on their screen as possible in one minute.
Set for being introduced into Green Jade’s innovative arcade style lobby, the Chief Commercial Officer of Green Jade Games, Mark Taffler said of their latest game: “Tap Tap Splat says it all really. It’s inspired by end-of-the pier whack-a-mole games, but with a gambling element.”
“Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen a huge growth in the audience for skill-based arcade and we believe that will continue for the foreseeable future. “
“Tap Tap Splat is a great addition to our ever-growing lobby of games. Not just that but it’s a great addition to any Casino’s Lobby. It stands up vs any slots out there today.”
Green Jade Games which was established back in 2017, now has a whole host of games in their portfolio, with their gaming content being taken up by numerous operators, including PlayoJo and Mr Green.


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Regular coffee consumption may significantly lower risk for arrhythmias
Coffee is a stimulant and is the most common form of cognitive enhancement. It has been assumed that, because of the effects of caffeine on enhancing the mind and heart rate, it may contribute to arrhythmia. But results of a new study are contrary to the common belief.
Regular coffee consumption is associated with a significantly lower risk for arrhythmias, according to a study presented recently as part of the Heart Rhythm Society online meeting: HRS 2020 Science.
There is significant public and professional interest in the role of caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, and energy drinks in cardiovascular health. Extensive research over the past decade suggests that many widely held beliefs regarding caffeine may not be evidence-based. The present study provides a comprehensive review of the impact of caffeinated beverages on cardiac rhythm.
Eun-Jeong Kim, M.D., from the University of California in San Francisco, and colleagues investigated the association between habitual caffeine consumption and the risk for arrhythmia among 357,022 participants in the U.K. Biobank.
The researchers found that during 5.25 years of follow-up, there were 8,159 incident arrhythmias diagnosed (6,999 atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, 890 supraventricular tachycardia, 459 ventricular tachycardia, and 385 premature ventricular complex). Coffee consumption was associated with a significantly lower risk for arrhythmia (hazard ratios: one to two cups, 0.90; three to four cups, 0.86; five cups or more, 0.85) compared with no consumption. Each additional daily cup of coffee was associated with a lower incidence of arrhythmia (hazard ratio, 0.96). Except for premature ventricular complexes, there was a reduction in arrhythmia incidence observed for each subtype.
"Results should reassure patients and physicians of the low risks associated with regular coffee consumption, and we hope it will encourage providers to work directly with patients to determine and personalize their specific lifestyle factors, including caffeine consumption," Kim said in a statement.
More information: Press Release


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A popular Galway city shop was swarmed by gardai after a serious incident that has left its owners "saddened, distraught and upset".
Gardai are investigating a burglary on the Sean Mulvoy Road after the Galway Simon Community charity shop was targeted.
It's alleged that the person gained access to the shop by smashing the front window with a brick. Once the window was smashed, security staff were informed by the alarm company that an incident was taking place at the premises and were at the location in minutes.
While no cash was taken, the repair costs are set to go into the hundreds of euro.
"We are very disheartened and saddened that someone would break into and attempt to steal from our charity shop," Karen Golden, CEO of Galway Simon Community said.
"It is very upsetting for our volunteers and staff who run the shop. The team work very hard to raise money to support our services for people facing the trauma of homelessness. While no money was taken there is the cost to repair the damage and the loss of income as the shop has to remain closed this morning while we carry out repairs and the Gardaí carry out forensic investigation."
"We'd like to thank the security firm and the local Gardaí for taking swift action last night and our own team for coordinating efforts to get the shop back up and running as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we'll have to close for the day while work is underway to repair the damage, but we look forward to welcoming customers back to our shop as soon as possible. Thankfully this is a very rare incident."
A spokesperson for the Gardaí said: "We were contacted early this morning following a break in at the Galway Simon Shop on Sean Mulvoy Road. Investigations are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact us on 091 538000."
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Type in your medication and your doctor’s name. Then have your treatments posted direct to your home or workplace. It is an attractive offering for a busy person, but the sustainability of online pharmacy is far from certain.
Pharmacy multiples are investing heavily in online services in an effort to compete with online companies such as Pharmacy2U and other potential new competitors, including Amazon. These multiples hope their trusted brand and the ability to use their high street presence to offer more than a simple online dispensing service will give them a competitive advantage.
If you look at any other retail type activity, everybody is developing an online presence because a lot of people are choosing to shop online
The government says that healthcare consumers are increasingly demanding more accessible and convenient online services that have become the norm in retail and banking. But is pharmacy a special case?
“We like to think that pharmacy is different as a health profession, and I would actually strongly subscribe to that view,” says Sandra Gidley, chair of the English Pharmacy Board at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, “but the reality is if you look at any other retail type activity, everybody is developing an online presence because a lot of people are choosing to shop online.”
Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) for April 2018 show that 17.3% of all retailing in Great Britain now takes place online, up from around 10% five years ago,
. Toys R Us and Maplin are the latest in a long line of well-known high street retailers forced to go into administration because of struggling sales, and much of the blame is being directed at rising competition from online retailers. Meanwhile, Marks & Spencer will close more than 100 stores across the UK by 2022 as part of its plan to move a third of its sales online.
Getting estimates of the current value of the online prescription market is difficult, but the consensus is that it is tiny. According to NHS Digital, there are 335 distance-selling pharmacies in England, of which Pharmacy2U is the biggest.
People’s expectations are rising about the customer experience they expect and those expectations are being set not by other pharmacies but by other retailers, such as Amazon and Netflix
Pharmacy2U only dispenses a quarter of a million prescription items per month, says Gareth Jones, head of corporate affairs at the National Pharmacy Association, which is “a very tiny proportion of the entire prescription market”. He explains: “That would add up to 3 million items per year out of [a total of] 1 billion.” The company posted a £20m financial loss for 2016–2017, but declined to comment on its future development plans
Dan Sheldon, head of digital at Well Pharmacy, says his best estimate is that “online pharmacy accounts for half a percent of the total prescription market today”, but he believes there is “huge growth potential”.
Source: Courtesy of Dan Sheldon
“People’s expectations are rising about the customer experience they expect,” says Sheldon, “and those expectations are being set not by other pharmacies but by other retailers, such as Amazon and Netflix.”
Internet-only players have seen massive market growth over the past five years. According to the ONS, 8.6% of all retail business is conducted by retailers without stores — those such as online and mail order companies, market stalls and door-to-door sellers — and 79% of this business was conducted online in April 2018, compared with around 60% five years ago,
A spokesperson for Boots UK emphasises that the way its customers and patients want to manage their prescriptions and access pharmacy services online is “evolving”.
“Through our online pharmacy service, patients can manage their repeat prescriptions,” he says. “Through our online clinics, we also offer a range of pharmacy services, including for erectile dysfunction, acne, hair loss, period delay, stopping smoking and malaria prevention.”
For LloydsPharmacy, growing its online services is a strategic priority. “Through lloydspharmacy.com patients can sign up to receive free delivery of their repeat prescriptions, or can take advantage of our click and collect service for non-prescription items,” says Andy Sloman, interim digital director at parent company Celesio UK and managing director of LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor.
Source: Courtesy of Andy Sloman
The LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor service was one of the first online healthcare organisations to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and more than 1.4 million patients have registered with the service since 2002. “Our expert team can prescribe medication to be collected directly from one of our LloydsPharmacy stores,” he says.
Sloman explains that the company has plans to introduce new services that make it easier for patients to keep track of their health online. “We also believe that technology can be used to help people better manage their long-term conditions, so that is an area where we are interested in developing new services.”
Our vision is that customers will have choice about when and where they get their prescriptions
Ultimately, says Sloman, LloydsPharmacy believes that the physical and digital worlds of healthcare can complement each other to provide more customer choice. “For example, a patient who uses our online doctor service may require contraception. One of our doctors can prescribe this online for the patient to pick up in a pharmacy. When they go to collect their medication from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will carry out checks, such as measuring their BMI, to make sure it is safe to dispense.”
Well Pharmacy has recently developed an app as part of its new online prescription service, which is being rolled out in England. It will allow customers to order both repeat and one-off prescriptions, and builds on Well’s existing online prescription service and hub-and-spoke dispensing model.
“Our vision is that customers will have choice about when and where they get their prescriptions,” says Sheldon. “Some will want to use an app, some will want to come into the store, some might want to engage with us in other ways as well, so we are building a platform that will enable us to do all of that.”
Picking up medicines in a pharmacy is not going to work for everyone and neither is having it delivered to their home, says Sheldon, so Well is looking at both of these options and considering others. “People use Amazon lockers now, so we are looking at things like that, too.”
How big will it get?
In the United States, big pharmacy retailers such as Walgreens and CVS have been focused on the “online space” for a while, and online pharmacy is becoming much more normalised, Sheldon says.
Rumours during 2017 that Amazon was about to enter the drug distribution market, initially in the United States, have not yet come to fruition and some press reports by Reuters suggest these plans have been put on hold, at least in the short term
. A spokesperson for Amazon refused to confirm this, saying: “Amazon does not comment on rumours or speculation.”
Providers who employ only pharmacist prescribers can exploit this gap in the regulations, meaning that the systems and processes used are not under the remit of any regulator
There are a few factors holding back online pharmacy in the UK, says Sheldon, in particular a lack of consumer trust. Online pharmacies, which are regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), are often linked to online prescribing services, which have been plagued by questions over the quality of care they provide. In 2017, the CQC found that 86% of online primary care providers were not providing “safe” care, which led to two services closing – Doctor Matt and MD Direct. At that time, the prescribing arm of Pharmacy2U was also found not to be providing safe care in accordance with the regulations, but it was rated as safe by the CQC in another inspection in December 2017,
. By February 2018, the CQC reported that the number of providers who were found not to be providing safe care had decreased to 43%.
Source: Courtesy of Pharmacy2u
There is also a loophole in the regulations, according to Mohammed Hussain, a pharmacist and senior clinical lead at NHS Digital, who explains that online prescribing services only have to register with the CQC if they employ a listed healthcare professional, which does not include pharmacists.
“Providers who employ only pharmacist prescribers can exploit this gap in the regulations,” says Hussain, “meaning that the systems and processes used are not under the remit of any regulator although the individuals themselves are regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council”.
He emphasises that getting a prescription online should not be compared with ordering groceries from Tesco.
“Quite rightly, there is an expectation of regulation to ensure that patient safety is built in,” he adds.
While few would disagree that the demand for online pharmacy services is likely to grow, the consensus is that the proportion of online sales is unlikely to reach the level of the retail sector.
Gidley believes that pharmacy customers choose to shop online less frequently because having their prescription dispensed is often reactive: “You’ve been to the surgery, you might as well just pop in and get that prescription.” On the other hand, for someone who is stable on one medicine a month, “I can see that it would be very attractive for them to think I might as well get it posted to my place of work, it makes life easier for me”, she says.
Source: MAG / The Pharmaceutical Journal
Community pharmacy has to acknowledge the online trend, she adds, and “almost step up what it offers on a personal level because those kind of clinical services are going to become more and more important in keeping the customer patient base”.
Face-to-face versus online
Jones predicts that a large proportion of patients will want to continue to access pharmacies in the traditional way. The community pharmacist network offers a convenient service for customers, he points out. “It is often much easier to walk into the pharmacy near the office on your way into work than it is to deal with a parcel that may have ended up back in the sorting office.”
There is evidence that people value a face-to-face service when it comes to healthcare, he adds
. “And it’s not just that people want it, it quite often makes a significant difference to their health” and has benefits for the wider health system, he says. When a pharmacist sees a patient regularly they are more likely to notice if their chronic condition is deteriorating and a review is needed. “The pharmacist spots it because they see them week in week out,” says Jones.
Not only does online pharmacy miss out on that face-to-face contact but there is also the huge expense of delivery. “The idea that it’s more efficient is not yet proven,” Jones emphasises. “It’s an expensive model.”
LloydsPharmacy has recently begun charging patients for home deliveries unless their medicines are ordered online, in which case they are dispensed via the company’s hub.
Source: Courtesy of Gareth Jones
Gidley believes that ordering medicines online can distance patients from their local pharmacy and will have an impact on LloydsPharmacy and what it can provide. “Obviously they’ve built up a relationship for years with some of the customers, they know their little foibles, and the customer is being told ‘we won’t be able to deal with you after a certain time, you’ve got to go through this anonymous central online system’.”
If large numbers of the public start using a centralised online supply there would be an impact on the network and inevitably local pharmacies would close
Jones warns that more use of centralised dispensing could lead to closures on the high street: “If large numbers of the public start using a centralised online supply there would be an impact on the network and inevitably local pharmacies would close.”
However, Hussain argues that some multiples have developed effective hub-and-spoke models, which are freeing pharmacists’ time for patient care. For example, up to 60% of prescriptions at some Well pharmacies are now sent to its hub and the medicines shipped back to the store for patients to pick up, he says.
What about smaller pharmacies?
“I don’t think there is much doubt that all pharmacies need an internet presence,” says Martin Bennett, chair and superintendent pharmacist at Associated Chemists (Wicker) Ltd, an independent pharmacy in Sheffield. “But I don’t believe it’s necessary to aim at providing a service for the whole country. We need to use the internet to enhance and improve the local services that we already provide.”
The sort of online presence a community pharmacy should offer will depend on their customer base and what customers are looking for, says Jones.
Smaller pharmacies might need to list opening times online and link to the local GP surgeries so repeat prescriptions can be requested easily, but much more than that can be expensive to do properly, says Gidley, and there is a risk of looking amateurish.
At the moment I would say that most small pharmacies do not have the spare cash to take a punt on this
“At the moment I would say that most small pharmacies do not have the spare cash to take a punt on this,” she says.
Despite a move towards people expecting everything more quickly and easily, there are still a lot of customers who do not want their prescriptions dispensed via the internet, Gidley adds: “If you are a small pharmacy with an established customer base, my personal view is, for the investment, I’m not convinced the return would be justified.”
How one independent pharmacy set up its website
JWW Allison & Sons, an independent community pharmacy in Cockermouth, Cumbria, initially set up its own website.
“We felt that we needed an online presence,” explains pharmacist and director Nat Mitchell. “I get frustrated when I want to see what a business offers and they have nothing online to showcase this. Restaurants with no menu, for example, are missing out massively.”
“I am surprised at how many pharmacies don’t even have something as simple as a landing page,” he adds.
Source: Courtesy of Nat Mitchell
Mitchell used a simple WordPress site because it was both free and easy to update, but it became apparent that some customers wanted the ability to order prescriptions online so he contacted a pharmacy website provider to enable this.
However, this function became obsolete when the local GP surgery banned third-party repeat prescription ordering so the pharmacy reverted back to its WordPress site, not only to save money but also because it was easier to add or remove information as needed.
Although websites set up by dedicated companies can look nicer, work better and have increased functionality, says Mitchell, there is a cost involved, as well as a danger that the sites look a little generic and will be a hassle to update. “Our [previous] site had pharmacist spelled incorrectly and it took an age to correct,” he says.
Mitchell sees the pharmacy’s website as “a window into our business” so it lists all the services it provides. “There is a temptation to only include the most interesting information, but for a pharmacy I feel that there has to be an element of completeness as you never know what a patient is looking for,” says Mitchell.
“Given time and resource I’d like to have a more interactive and attractive website that works across all platforms, but for now I’m happy with what it does. It is linked to our Facebook site, which helps to spread our message and aids interaction with our patients.”
The website is also promoted to patients on the pharmacy’s leaflets, its van, through a monthly column in a local magazine, and via Twitter and NHS Choices.
Resource: General Pharmaceutical Council. Guidance for registered pharmacies providing pharmacy services at a distance, including on the internet. April 2015.
Future of repeat prescription apps
There are companies offering targeted online services for independent pharmacies. For example, Buckinghamshire-based The Pharmacy Centre provides websites and apps, including repeat prescription ordering and e-commerce for some clients. Other innovative services are being developed that could assist smaller pharmacy chains and independents to provide online services for their customers.
Apps that enable patients in England to order repeat prescriptions and have them sent to their homes or to a local pharmacy already exist.
Some of these apps, such as ECHO, require the patient to type in the drugs and doses that they require. The order is sent to ECHO’s pharmacy partner, which sends an efax to the patient’s GP surgery to request the prescription. Once the pharmacy receives the prescription, the medicine is posted to the patient.
Several clinical commissioning groups have banned pharmacies from ordering prescriptions on behalf of patients in a bid to reduce medicines waste, and some have included use of the ECHO app in this ban. ECHO is using third-party ordering, explains Mohammed Hussain, a pharmacist and senior clinical lead at NHS Digital, and the reasoning was that if bricks and mortar premises were not allowed to make requests, they should not be accepted from a third-party online provider.
Other apps have got around this by linking to GP software systems so the patient’s repeat prescription request is sent to the GP practice. Patients using these apps can access a list of the drugs they have been prescribed and select the ones they need. Several such apps are linked to specific GP system software, including Patient Access aligned to EMIS, and another — DIMEC — has been designed to work with a multitude of GP systems.
Source: Courtesy of Chris Turner
DIMEC, which was set up by two pharmacists, also includes an Amazon-style click and collect feature. Chris Turner, chief operating officer at DIMEC, says that, as a pharmacist, he understands that ordering the prescription is only half the battle. “Patients need to know when and where it’s ready for collection,” he says, so DIMEC sends patients notifications throughout the whole process: ‘it’s with the GP’, or ‘it’s being dispensed’ or ‘it’s ready for collection’ to keep patients informed and save wasted trips to the pharmacy. DIMEC also offers a repeat dispensing service to pharmacies, which automates the administration-heavy service many pharmacies offer.
Hussain predicts that models that integrate with the GP computer systems will become more prevalent and will “allow pharmacies to scale up as a national network” to offer a convenient online service to patients. “Such models give patients everything that they could get from online pharmacy but still the benefit of the local pharmacy, the ability to walk in off the street and get immediate healthcare advice,” adds Gareth Jones, head of corporate affairs at the National Pharmacy Association.
 Office for National Statistics. Statistical Bulletin: Retail sales, Great Britain: April 2018. Available at https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/retailindustry/bulletins/retailsales/april2018 (accessed June 2018)
 Office for National Statistics. Dataset: Retail Sales Index internet sales. Available at https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/retailindustry/datasets/retailsalesindexinternetsales (accessed June 2018)
 Companies House. Group of companies’ accounts made up to 31 March 2017. Available at https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/03802593/filing-history (accessed June 2018).
 Reuters. Drug suppliers’ shares rise as looming Amazon threat appears to ease. 16 April 2018. Available at: https://in.reuters.com/article/amazon-com-healthcare/drug-suppliers-shares-rise-as-looming-amazon-threat-appears-to-ease-idINKBN1HN2GQ (accessed June 2018)
 Care Quality Commission. Pharmacy2U Ltd inspection report. 29 June 2017. Available at: http://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/new_reports/AAAG3954.pdf (accessed June 2018).
 Care Quality Commission. Pharmacy2U Ltd inspection report. 16 February 2018. Available at: http://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/new_reports/AAAH0178.pdf (accessed June 2018).
 National Pharmacy Association. Face-to-face. Available at: https://www.npa.co.uk/representing-you/campaigns/face-face-report/ (accessed June 2018)


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LAHORE: The Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has directed counsels to conclude arguments in renowned case of Rs 6 million mobile smuggling.
According to details an accused Muhammad Naveed and Muhammad Faisal were arrested by the customs intelligence authorities from Lahore. Customs intelligence recovered 9700 mobile phones of different models from their warehouse.
Sources told that worth of the smuggled mobile phones is more than Rs 6 million in local market and the accused has caused a huge loss to the national kitty in the wake of taxes. The accused were intercepted by the customs authorities at Hall Road.
Customs Intelligence also recovered accessories of mobile phones from their possession. Customs recovered mobile phone chargers, hand frees and data cables from a warehouse belonged to the accused. Worth of the recovered items is more than Rs 6 million in local market. The accused have made a huge loss to the national kitty in the wake of duty and taxes.
Customs investigation team presented them before the customs court for getting their physical remand to investigate more on the issue that was approved by the court. Customs Judge Tahir Sabir approved their remand for three days. After completion of their remand customs team produced them again before the customs court for further and court sent them to jail on judicial remand.
Customs has registered a case against the accused and launched investigation as well after confiscating the vehicle and clothes that he was trying to smuggle. Customs authorities registered a case against him under Customs Act 1969.


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Google to Help Make Mobile Web Sites Location Aware
Aug 22, 2008, 9:48 AM by Eric M. Zeman
Today Google offered web developers a new API that can be used to make web sites location aware. This means that if you navigate to a web site on your mobile phone, the web site will use cell tower or GPS information to determine your location, which will result in more relevant search results. The Gears Geolocation API technology provides the same functionality to desktop PCs using IP address information. Right now, the Gears software only works on Internet Explorer on Windows Mobile phones. Google will work to provide the functionality to other platforms over time.
Sep 1, 2021
The newest beta version of Google's Chrome web browser for Android includes two major new features. After executing a Google search and choosing a result, a new bar below the address bar lets you quickly navigate to a different search result.
Apr 7, 2022
Google has updated its Lens camera-based search tool with an experimental feature that lets you type in extra search terms to refine your visual search. Google calls this new image+text type of search "multisearch".
Sep 29, 2022
Google has announced an update to the Google Maps app with several interesting new features. The augmented-reality Live View feature now works in a search mode to find and show you specific places nearby, instead of just overlaying walking directions during ongoing navigation.
Nov 18, 2020
Google today launched a major revamp of its Google Pay app with a new interface and several major new features. Instead of a stack of cards and list of transactions, the new interface centers around the people and businesses you exchange money with, with a conversation-style interface for each person, group, and business.